Because You Asked

I had several of you ask how I display my millinery. Everything in my house is constantly moving so nothing is ever in a permanent resting place. I've mentioned before that our home is quite small and storage is at a premium. What we’ve had to do is buy cabinets for everything from towels and linens to our formal china. That is how I display most of my things.

Ten years ago, I walked into an antique store and saw the loveliest little apothecary cabinet from France. It was sold already, but I had fallen in love with it. I kept going back to the store after that, to gaze at it (until it was taken), but after three months it was still there. I plucked up enough courage to ask the store manager if it really was sold. Well . . . after calling the owner we found out it wasn’t! I bought it for a song right there and then. It has held everything from fairies to china.

The picture below shows the cabinet holding some of my millinery and the next photo shows what it is currently holding (some of my old linens). I took these photos a long time ago and they are not full shots of the cabinet, but if you look closely in some of my photos throughout the blog you will see it pictured here and there filled with various things.











A pretty Venetian glass inkwell sits on top of the cabinet.





Antique beaded French flowers sparkle in this glass case.





Velvet strawberries hang from the key.






I recently put this display together. I have absolutely nowhere to put my art supplies so I’m beginning to scatter them around the house like art. This display is made up of a vintage earring holder. I took bakery twine and tied my old vintage fruit to it and then covered it with a glass dome. I use the domes to keep my supplies dust free.






Here is something I just finished. This piece is actually recycled art stuff that was too wonderful to just leave in pieces. I had a bunch of twisted wire scraps and pretty crystal beads along with beach shells. I put them altogether and made this crown for a Little Mermaid. It actually is about 3 inches in diameter. It looks at home on this shell.

Some of you have asked about my little paper doll slippers. I promise they will be ready soon. I’ve had so many busy things distracting me from focusing on artwork. I also have a swirl of ideas in my mind for future projects. I’ll post the slippers soon. Thanks for being patient!

31 comments:

Lori said...

your cabinet is a beauty Nancy! you really have a way with creating lovely displays...the little mermaid crown in adorable and i just love those sweet lil' strawberries!!!

LW said...

That cabinet is just perfect!
Glad you asked about it and was able
To get it….
I would love something like that…

Great use for a vintage earring tree, I saw a
bunch of them at a tag sale awhile back now I wished
I got them …


I really love the little mermaid crown ..
That is the sweetest thing…

Louise

LiLi M. said...

Great cabinet..but wonderful things inside too. Love all your bling, your millinery flowers in the last post too and all your artwork is fantastic as ever!

Jennifer Pearson Vanier said...

Always ask, I was told many years ago. You may be surprised by the answer. You have exquisite taste. I love the little logs in front of the dome.

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

Ouuuu Nancy I love that cabinet!
AND all the treasures you have displayed are beautiful!!!!

Thank you for shareing your pretty things with us!

Hugz,
Dolly

Ulla said...

NANCY! You continue to amaze me! I love the cabinet and how you carefully display everything, like art! Your dome of fruit is truly breathtaking, what a wonderful wonderful idea... and of course the mermaids crown is divine! you have made my day filled with beauty... Truly ENCHANTING!!!

Maija said...

Your displays are beautiful! I, too, am waiting for some of those sweet shoes!!!

Rosemary said...

How beautiful Nancy!!
Everything is displayed perfectly.
The Little Mermaid crown is adorable.
I have been in crown making mode this week too!!
Can't wait to see the slippers.
Rosemary

Sugar Bear said...

What a perfect little cabinet! Yay that the sale fell through! Your newest creation is adorable Nancy! You have made that shell so magical and elegant.
Karla

Unknown said...

Fabulous way to display your collection! I really like how you have them displayed in your cabinets. I might have to borrow hat idea! lol
I really enjoy visiting your blog and admire your creativity. I have recently created a new blog (still working out the bugs)www.romancingthebling.blogspot.com and have added your blog to mine.
Please visit and let me know what you think. I will definitely be returning to admire more of your creativity.
Debby
www.romancingthebling.blogspot.com

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

Nancy, Every item is so beautiful.I really love the Little Mermaid shell.I can just picture that on a mermaid doll.LOL...Marie Antionette

Lola Enchanted said...

Hello,
Oh how pretty!!!!

Very lovely!~

Heather ~Pretty Petals said...

Your pretties look so lovely displayed out in the open like that...if you could only see mine you would just shudder! lol

LOVE That seashell, Nancy you have such a WAY with things... you should be writing magazine articles!

xo Heather

Bristol said...

Are you so glad you asked. It was meant to be, the piece is lovely~
I like how you have displayed your supplies, very pretty~
Bristol

bluemuf said...

Nancy.. how perfectly beautiful. I love all the exquisite vignettes you have put together. And I love how you use some of your supplies in your displays.

Hugs Karen

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Hi Nancy!
What an adorable cabinet, it was meant to be yours! I love how you put things together, so artfully. I really enjoyed your post on millinery flowers and I was so touched when I saw the little glass bird on the corsage. When I was in first grade my big sister, Nancy, (how I love that name) was married. Her wedding bouquet was white flowers and ivy and it had two tiny blue glass birds in it. It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen. She is gone now and I miss her terribly, she was like a second mom to me. Thanks for a sweet memory!
Hugs, Sherry

Mimi said...

As everyone said, you do have a way with lovely things.

Sandy said...

Nancy,

I left you a little treat on my blog post today!

Sandy said...

OOOPS! I hit the button too soon! I adore that little mermaid crown! It is fantastic!

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Ooh la la! What a perfect way to display your pretties!
Becky

Anonymous said...

Nancy-
I'm sure in another life I was a mermaid and wore a crown just like that! Beautiful and inspiring, as always.
hugs,
Molly

SweetAnnee said...

You brought me SMILES today..just lovely
I want some tooo...ok LOTS!!!
deena

Allie said...

This is my first time to your site and I'm just in awe! What a lovely way you display things in your home. The crown is such a creative idea....I'm envious of the mermaid who gets to wear it! I'm new to blogging but am adding your site to my favorites....your site is such a wonderful "getaway"!
Happy Friday!
~Allie

NeereAnDear said...

Nancy ... Tres chic.... so lovely is your cabinet... I can see why you kept going back... and lucky you that you were able to purchase it after all... it was meant for you to bring it home...

Your vintage millinery is stunning..

HUGS

CIAO FOR NOW!!

JO

Little Pink Studio said...

Beautiful, inspirational photos!
I gasped out loud when I saw the velvet strawberries! They're stunning!!
~Cerri

Irma's Rose Cottage said...

Hi Nancy, just to let you know you are the winner of my birthday giveaway. Please email me at
aialvarez7@aol.com with your snail mail addy and I will send your prize.

Love your cabinet and all the lovely items.

Irma :)

Anonymous said...

It all looks beautiful Nancy, but especially the dome with the climbing fruits!
You did good!
xox
Constance

http://afancifultwist.typepad.com said...

Your music is so beautiful! it always make my heart flutter open and billow wide, full of emotion...

I just adore your collections and how you keep them!! Precious little treasures xoxo

Debbies-English-Treasures said...

Everything abut this blog is just utterly gorgeous!
THE VERY BEST!
I will add you on my top favorites that`s for sure!
Kisses Kisses
Debbie
xxx

Anonymous said...

I love the small logs! They are adorable!!

Unknown said...

Very cute cabinet. I love the sparklies and the lovely linens inside, too. Was there a bit of tatting that I saw or was that my imagination?